Localism Bill

I will first deal with the rather strange analogy that the Minister has drawn between this situation where a small number of employees can precipitate a process and a situation where an authority decides to outsource. The noble Lord identified a case involving several hundred employees but it might well be even more than that. The trigger in that case is the authority; the trigger in the case in the Bill is potentially a handful of fellow employees making an approach under the provisions of the legislation, affecting substantially more. That seems to me to be quite a different situation. While one would hope that there would be a process of consultation along the lines that the Minister referred to in the case of Hull Primary Care Trust, there is nothing in the Bill that would require it. So I hope that the Minster will have another look at that. In so far as the competition requirements are concerned, with respect, I think that the Minister is slightly missing the point that I am making, which is not about the general provision for procurement but about the particular circumstances that might apply to an undertaking of a public authority being outsourced by its workforce under the provisions of the Bill. I understand that the Minister is not prepared to accept either amendment tonight, but I reiterate my request that these matters be looked at between now and Report. Otherwise, it may well be that we will have return to the issue at Report and potentially test the opinion of the House. However, at this stage I will withdraw the amendment. Amendment 133ZDA withdrawn. Amendments 133ZE to 133ZK not moved. Clause 70 agreed. Clause 71 : Consideration of expression of interest: further provisions Clause 71 : Consideration of expression of interest: further provisions Amendment 133ZL not moved. Clause 71 agreed. Amendment 133ZM not moved. Clause 72 agreed. Clause 73 : Provision of advice and assistance Clause 73 : Provision of advice and assistance Amendments 133ZN to 133ZP not moved. Clause 73 agreed. Amendments 133A to 133C not moved. Clause 74 : List of assets of community value Amendment 133D Clause 74 : List of assets of community value Amendment 133D Moved by